Cabinet



Oct. 30, 1934.

A. J. GOODWIN CABINET Filed Sept. 13. 1933 2 Sheeiis-Sheet l flLL/L' J 6000 WIN.

Gum/nu;

Oct. 30, 1934. J. GOODWIN 1,979,222

CABINET Filed Sept. 13. 1933 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 1" one n 8 7 U .10. 4

SWAN/M43041.

flul: cl 6000mm Patented Oct. 30, 1934 UNITED STATES CABINET Allie J. Goodwin,

Kensington, Conn.

Application September 13, 1933, Serial No. 689,178

27 Claims.

My invention relates to cabinets of that type which are adapted for the storage of bottles containing fluid and especially for the purpose of storing nursing milk bottles.

An object of my invention is to provide a cabinet which is portable and in which articles or material may be kept cold or hot until it is desired to use the same.

' A further object of my invention is to provide a cabinet in which the said material may be heated when desired.

A cabinet embodying my invention and by which the above objects may be attained, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which:-

Figure 1 is a perspective view of my cabinet on a reduced scale showing the same partly opened.

Figure 2 is a view of the same in vertical section, taken on line 2--2 of Figure 7.

Figure 3 is a view in vertical section on line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a similar view-on line 44 of Figure 2.

Figure 5 is an end view of one form of a thermostatic device such as used in combination with my invention.

Figure 6 15a view in central vertical section of the same.

Figure 7 is a plan view in elevation of my complete cabinet showing the same in opened position.

Figure 8 is a plan view of the heating unit which is used in my invention.

Figure 9 is a view of the same in central vertical section on line 9--9 of Figure 3.

Figure 10 is a view in central vertical section of one of the circuit closing devices used in my invention.

Figure 11 is a plan view in elevation of another circuit closing device used in my invention.

Figure 12 is a view of the same in central vertical section on line l2-12 of Figure 11.

Figure 13 is a similar view on line l3-13 of Figure 11.

Figure 14 is a diagrammatical view of the electrical circuit embodied in my invention.

In the drawings, in which like numerals denote like parts in the different figures, the numeral 5 denotes my improved cabinet and 6 the cover thereof which is hinged as at 7 and fastened in closed position by means of suitable fasteners 8. A handle 9 is attached to said cover by means of which the said cabinet may be carried.

In general, my improved cabinet comprises a preserving or storage compartment 10, a heating compartment 11 and a miscellaneous storage compartment 12. The compartment 10 is provided with a container 13 having therein a reirigerant 14 such as broken ice, or blocks of material commonly known as dry ice, for the purpose of preserving the material in the storage com partment. The said container 13 is provided with a cover 15 and is removably positioned in said compartment between guide bars 16 which are oppositely secured to the walls of the storage compartment. When the said container is in position, the storage compartment 10 is divided thereby into separate compartments l0-A and 10-B in which such articles as nursing bottles 17 may be stored. Spring retainers 18 of any suitable form are provided within the said storage compartments for the purpose of retaining the said bottles in proper position and against the sides of the container 13.

A heating device 19 is provided within the heating chamber 11 for the purpose of supplying means whereby material may be heated. The said heating device consists generally of a circular cup shaped container 20 in which are supported suitably insulated heating elements 21 and 22. These elements consist of coils. of electrical resistance wire which are spirally supported within the container 20 in a suitable manner, such as by means of clips 23 that are fastened to sheets of insulating material 23-B lining the wall of said container for the purpose of insulating the said elements therefrom as clearly illustrated in Figure 9 of the drawings.

A thermostatic device 24 is provided to automatically regulate the temperature within the said heating container 20 and the same is positioned within a recess 25 provided in the said container near the top thereof.

The terminal contact members 26, 26-A and 26B are attached to the bottom 27 of the container 20 and suitably insulated therefrom in any suitable well known manner. The heating element coils 21 and 22 are electrically connected to said terminals in order that'electrical current may be supplied to said heating elements through .an electrical circuit which will be hereinafter described.

The said heating device is provided with a cover plate 28 having an opening 29 therein thru which a bottle, that is to be heated, may be inserted into said heating device. A circuit closing switch 30, as illustrated in Figures 11 to 13 of the drawings, is positioned in the bottom of the heating compartment 11. This switch is designed to be operated, to close the electrical circuit, when a bottle is inserted in the heating unit to the position shown in Figure 4 of the drawings. The weight of the bottle will press the plunger 31 of the switch, causing a contact between the switch bar 32 and the contact fingers 33 and 34 which are mounted-on posts 35 and 36. The said circuit closing device also has posts 37 and 38 to which wires of the said circuit are attached.

Each of the said posts 35, 3'7 and 38 have secured thereto, at thelr upper ends, one of the QQniiIl-Q spring fingers 39, 40 and 41, which extend outwardly, from the top of the said circuit closing device, above the bottom of the heating compartment and in position to contact with the terminals 26, 26-A and 26-3 above mentioned.

Another circuit closing device 42, as illustrated in Figure 10 of the drawings, is provided in my improved cabinet. This circuit closer comprises a plunger 43 on a bar 44 that is adapted to close a circuit between the contacts 45 and 46 on the binding posts 47 and 48 when the said plunger 43 is pressed inwardly. The said circuit closing device is located in the top or the cabinet 5 in a position where the plunger 43 will be pressed downwardly by the cover 6 of the cabinet when the said cover is closed.

Electrical plug receptacles 49 and 50 are provided at a convenient location and preferably on the outside of the said cabinet in order to receive a suitable connecting plug for the purpose o1 supplying electric current to either of the heating elements 21- or 22 in the heating unit.

The receptacle 49 is of a standard design for receiving current from anordinary house circuit such as usually supplied with a standard voltage and the receptacle 50 is or another standard design for receiving a plug such as commonly used with an electrical circuit or low voltage as usually supplied by an electrical storage battery. By the use of said receptacle plugs and of the two elements, of which one is designed for a high voltage and the other for a low voltage, the heating device of my improved cabinet may be used either at home or while travelling byautomobile, at which time the electrical current can be obtained from the storage battery of the automobile.

I will now describe the electrical circuit which I have provided for my improved cabinet and which is illustrated in Figure 14 of the drawings. As can be clearly seen therefrom, when a. current is connected to the receptacle plug 49, a circuit will be completed thru the wire 51, contact post 3'7, and spring member 40 and terminal 26-1-3 to the resistance element 21, then thru the wire 52, the thermostatic device 24, wire 53, terminal 26, contact spring linger 39, contact 33, switch bar 32, contact 34, wire 54 and then thru the contact 46, bar 44 and contact 45 0! the circuit closer 42, and thru the wire 55 back to receptacle plug 49.

The low voltage circuit runs from the receptacle plug 50 thru wire 56, contact spring 41, resistance 22, wire 57, thermostatic device 24, wire 53, terminal 26, contact spring 39, contact 33, bar 32, contact 34, wire 54, and then thru the contact bar 46, bar 44 and contact 45, of the circuit closer 42 and thru the wire 55 to wire 58 and back to the receptacle plug 50.

It will be readily seen from the above description, and from the illustration, that when the high voltage is connected to the receptacle plug 49 the high voltage resistance coil only will be energized and that, when the low voltage is connected to the receptacle plug 50, only the low voltage resistance 22 will be energized. Regardless of which resistance is energized, the circuit will be controlled by the thermostatic device 24 to regulate automatically the temperature within the heating compartment.

This thermostatic device may be adjusted to vary the temperature so that it will correspond to the amount oi material, such as milk in a nursing bottle, that is to be heated. For inwhich is marked on the cover plate 26. I! 6 ounces or 8 ounces are to be heated the knob 59 is turned to the corresponding numbers on the plate,

when the said knob is turned it moves the contact points 60 of the thermostatic device nearer or farther from the contact 61 on the by-metal- 110 bar 62 by means of the thread on the post 63 on which the said contact 60 is carried. It is to be understood that various types of thermostatic control devices may be used, but since their opera'tion is well unders'toodby those skilled in the art, a more detailed description of the same is considered unnecessary.

The operation and use of my invention is as follows:-

Material is stored in the compartment 10 in which is placed the container 13. This container may be filled with either a cooling element or heating element depending on whether the material stored in the compartment is to be kept hot or cold. When it is desired to heat an article such as a nursing bottle, the same is inserted within the heating unit in the heating compartment 11 and the knob 59 is adjusted to the figure corresponding with the amount oi'milk that is to be heated. When the bottle is inserted in the heating unit, the plunger in the switch 30, at the bottom of the said unit is depressed, closing the electrical circuit at that point. The cover 6 oi. the cabinet is then closed, depressing the plunger 43 or the switch 42 thus closing the circuit at that point also. The electrical current is then connected to the corresponding receptacle plug 49 or 50 thus completing the circuit thru one of the corresponding resistance elements 21 or 22, causing the same to be energized. and thus heating the space within the heating unit wherein the temperature is automatically controlled by the thermostatic device as above described.

It will be noted that my improved cabinet is of a double walled construction providing thermal insulation between the diirerent compartments contained therein. Insulating material 64, such as asbestos wool or the like, may be packed in the space between the walls to provide more efilcient insulation.

The inner walls of the various compartments extend partly above the'outer walls of the cabinet, torming an upwardly extending flange 65 surrounding the top or the compartment 10 and a flange 66 surrounding the tops of compartments 11 and 12. The cover 6 is formed with re-' cesses (Hand 68 which are divided by a rib 69 fitting between the said flanges 65 and 66. By the above described construction of the flange and cover, the passage 01' hot or cold air between one compartment and another is further prevented.

It will also be noted that a partition '10 is provided between the compartments l1 and 12. This partition extends to a height even with the top 01' the flange 66 and comes in contact with the cover, thus preventing the passage oi heat from the compartment 11 to the compartment 12 when the said cover is in closed position.

\Nhile I have illustrated and described a preferred form 01 a cabinet embodying my invention, it is to be understood that the same may be modified more or less, and still fall within the scope oi. the following claims.

I claim as my invention:

1. A cabinet oi! the character described comprising a storage compartment and a heating compartment, a temperature retaining means in said storage compartment, an electrical heating device removably mounted in said heating com-' pertinent, means positioned in the bottom of said Ill] heating compartment for connecting an electrical circuit to said heating device and a cover for closing said compartments.

2. A cabinet of the character described comprising a cover and a plurality of compartments including a storage compartment and a heating compartment insulated from each other, an electrical circuit disposed within said cabinet, said circuitcomprising a receptacle plug in the outer wall of said cabinet, a circuit closing device positioned in said cabinet to be operated by said cover and a circuit closing device in the said heating compartment to be operated by an article to be heated therein.

3. A cabinet of the character described comprising a cover and a plurality oi compartments including a storage compartment and a heating compartment insulated irom each other, an electrical circuit disposed within said cabinet, said circuit comprising a receptacle plug in the outer wall of said cabinet and a circuit closing device in said heating compartment, a heating device in said heating compartment in operative relation with said circuit closing device, and contact members in said heating compartment positioned to co-operate with contact members mounted directly on said heating device for supplying electrical current thereto.

4. A cabinet of the character described comprising a cover and a plurality of compartments including a storage compartment and a heating compartment insulated from each other, an electrical circuit incorporated within said cabinet, said circuit comprising a receptacle plug in the wall of said cabinet, a circuit closing device positioned in said cabinet and adapted to be operated by said cover, a circuit closing device in said heating compartment, electrical contact members extending from said circuit closing device, a heating device located in said heating compartment, contact members on said heating device adapted to engage the contact members on said circuit closing device, an electrical resistance element in said heating device connected to the said contact members therein, adjustable means for automatically regulating the temperature created by said resistance element, and an operating post on the said circuit closing device, within the heating compartment, extending thru the bottom of the said heating device in position to be engaged by an article placed within the said heating device to operate said circuit closing device.

5. A cabinet 01' the character described, comprising a plurality of compartments insulated from each other and including a heating compartment, an electrical heating device in said heating compartment, an electrical circuit disposed within said cabinet for supplyingcurrent to said heating device, circuit closing means for closing said circuit when an article is inserted to be heated in said heating device, circuit closing means in said circuit adapted to be operated by said cover, thermostatic means for controlling said circuit and a receptacle plug in the wall of said cabinet for connecting said circuit to a current supply.

6. A cabinet of the character described comprising a cover and a plurality of compartments insulated from each other and including a heating compartment, a heating device in said heating compartment and means to render the said heating device operatable only when an article is inserted in said heating device and the said cover is in a closed position.

7. A cabinet of the character described comprising a cover and a plurality of compartments insulated from each other and including a heating compartment, electrical heating means in said heating compartment, said heating means comprising a plurality of heating elements each connected to a separate electrical circuit having a separate receptacle plug in the wall of the said cabinet, and a single thermostatic member adapted to control each or both of said circuits.

8. In a cabinet of the character described comprising a heating compartment therein and a cover thereon, an electrical circuit comprising a plurality of electrical resistance elements located in said heating compartment, separate receptacle plugs in the wall of said cabinet each electrically connected to one of said resistance elements and a plurality of circuit closing devices connected in series between each of said receptacle plugs and both of said elements.

9. A cabinet of the character described comprising a plurality of compartments insulated from each other and including a storage compartment, the said storage compartment havin a container positioned therein, and means in said storage compartment to retain articles therein and in contact with said container.

10. A cabinet of the character described comprising a plurality of compartments insulated from each other and including a storage compartment, the said storage compartment having a container positioned therein, spring means secured in said storage compartment opposite the said container, the said spring means being adapted to retain bottles in position within said storage compartment and in contact with said container.

11. A cabinet of the character described comprising a plurality of compartments insulated from each other and including a storage compartment having a container for a cooling agent,

said storage comps tment adapted to contain bottles, means in said compartment for retaining said bottles in position therein and against said container, and heating means in said heat ing compartment adapted to receive said bottles therewithin and to heat the same.

12. A cabinet of the character described comprising a plurality of compartments insulated from each other and including a storage compartment, a container for a temperature retaining agent positioned in said compartment and dividing the same into separate storage compartments, means on the walls of said compartment for slidably positioning said container therein, and means in each of said separate compartments for retaining bottles in position therein.

13. A cabinet of the character described comprising a heating compartment, an electrical circuit disposed within said cabinet, a circuit closer for said circuit mounted in a wall of said compartment, a heating device removably mounted in said compartment, and operating means extending from said circuit closer in a position to be operated by an article which is to be heated by said heating device.

14. A cabinet of the character described comprising a heating compartment therein and a cover, electrical heating means in said heating compartment comprising a plurality of heating elements each connected to a separate electrical circuit, a separate receptacle plug for connecting each 01' said circuits to an electric current and a circuit closer operable by said cover to close said circuits.

15. A cabinet 0! the character described comprising a heating compartment and a cover, an electrical circuit disposed within the walls of said cabinet and a heating device positioned in said compartment and removably connected to said circuit, said heating device comprising a cup shaped container adapted to receive an article therein, and electrical heating means within said container adapted to substantially surround said article.

16. A cabinet of the character described comprising a heating compartment, an electrical circuit disposed within the walls of said cabinet, and a heating device positioned in said compartment and removably connected to said circuit, said heating device comprising a cup shaped container forming a heating chamber adapted to receive an article to be heated therein, electrical heating means connected to said circuit for heating said chamber, and thermostatic means located within said chamber and adapted to control said circuit to maintain a predetermined temperature within said chamber.

1'7. A cabinet of the character described comprising a heating compartment having a cover, an electrical circuit disposed within the walls of said cabinet, a heating device comprising a cup shaped container adapted to receive an article to be heated thereby, electrical heating elements disposed within said container and adapted to substantially surround said article, a circuit closer in said circuit, and operating means on said circuit closer extending into said container and adapted to be actuated by said article to close said circuit.

18. A cabinet of the character described comprising a heating compartment having a cover, an electrical circuit disposed within the walls of said cabinet, a heating device connected to said circuit, means for automatically controlling said circuit and means operatable by said cover to close said circuit.

19. A cabinet of the character described comprising a cover, and a plurality of compartments in said cabinet having their inner walls extending above the top thereof 'and substantially into said cover to prevent intercommunication oi! air between said compartments.

20. A cabinet of the character described comprising a plurality of compartments, flanges extending vertically on said cabinet and surrounding said compartments, and a cover on said cabinet adapted to receive said flanges to prevent intercommunication of air between said compartments.

21. A cabinet of the character described comprising a heating compartment, an electrical circuit disposed within the walls of said cabinet, and a heating device positioned in said compartment and removably connected to said circuit; said heating device comprising a cup shaped container forming a heating chamber adapted to receive an article to be heated therein, electrical heating means connected to said circuit for heat- :1 ing said chamber, thermostatic means located controlling said circuit, means outside of said chamber for adjusting said automatic means and separate means within said chamber for operatins said circuit.

23. A cabinet of the character described comprising a heating compartment having a cover, an electrical circuit disposed within the walls of said cabinet, a heating device in said compartment, a heating chamber in said heating device, heating means in said circuit for heating said chamber, automatic means in said chamber tor controlling said circuit, means outside of said chamber for adjusting said automatic means, means within said chamber operatable by an article to be heated therein to operate said circuit and separate means operatable by said cover to also operate said circuit.

,24. In combination with a cabinet of the character described comprising a heating compartment and contact means in said circuit; a heating device comprising a heating chamber, electrical heating means within said chamber, temperature controlling means within said chamber, temperature adjusting means on said heating device outside of said chamber, and contact means on said heating device adapted to engage said contact means in said electrical circuit when said heating device is inserted in said heating compartment.

25. In combination with a cabinet of the character described comprising a heating compartment, an electrical circuit and contact means in said circuit; a heating device comprising a heating chamber, electrical heating means within said chamber, temperature controlling means within said chamber, temperature adjusting means on said heating device outside of said chamber, contacting means on said heating device adapted to engage said contact means in said electrical circuit when said heating device is inserted in said heating compartment, and means for operating said circuit when an article is inserted in said heating chamber.

28. In combination with a cabinet of the character described comprising a heating compartment having a cover and contact means in said circuit; a heating device comprising a heating chamber, electrical heating means within said chamber, temperature controlling means within said chamber, temperature adjusting means on said heating device outside of said chamber, contact means on said heating device adapted to engage said contact means in said electrical circuit when said heating device is inserted in said heating compartment, and means for operating said circuit by said cover.

27. In combination with a cabinet 01 the character described comprising a heating compartment; a heating device having a cup shaped container adapted to be removably positioned in said compartment, flanges on said container adapted to fit within said compartment and to space said container from the walls thereof, electrical heating means within said chamber, electrical contacts on said heating device connected to said heating means, an electrical circuit in said compartment, electrical contacts in said circuit in position to engage the contacts on said heating device, and means on said heat- ALLIE J. GOODWIN. 

